Twin Cities 2023: A Story Foreshadowing the Consent Decree (Fiction)

Consent Decree: These orders are usually called “consent decrees.” The term reflects that the order was negotiated and agreed to by the DOJ and the City that was investigated. A consent decree is a legally binding agreement where the court supervises the implementation of the agreement. 

By Don Allen, M. A. Ed./MAT #Fiction, #FutureCast

Twin Cities, Minn…Once upon a time, in a city plagued by gun violence, there was a controversial agreement in place between the police department and the community. The agreement stated that the police would only use force as a last resort and would work to build trust and positive relationships with the people they served.

At first, the agreement was met with skepticism and resistance from both sides. The police felt that their hands were tied and that they were being unfairly criticized for doing their jobs. The community, on the other hand, felt that the police were not doing enough to protect them and that the agreement was just a way for the police to avoid accountability.

But over time, something remarkable happened. As the police began to implement the agreement in earnest, they found that they were able to build stronger relationships with the community. They started to see the people they served as partners rather than adversaries, and they worked together to find solutions to the city's problems.

As a result, the city saw a significant decrease in gun violence. People felt safer walking the streets, and the police were able to focus on preventing crime rather than just reacting to it.

But then, one weekend, there was a sudden spike in gun violence. Several shootings took place, and people were understandably scared and angry. Some called for the agreement undone, arguing that it made the police too hesitant to act.

But others, including the police chief and community leaders, stood firm. They argued that the agreement was not the problem and that it had actually helped to prevent many more shootings than it had caused.

In the end, the city came together to find a solution. They recognized that there would be moments of violence and tragedy, but these should not be used as an excuse to abandon their progress. Instead, they redoubled their efforts to build trust and positive relationships between the police and the community and to work together to create a safer, more peaceful city for everyone.

And though there were still challenges to be faced, the people of the city knew that they could overcome anything as long as they remained committed to their shared values and goals.